Video Walkthrough and Explanation

 https://youtu.be/m6GUgv6iAX4

My music video, to Love and Suicide by The Trusted, narrates the story of two boys who have been in a relationship, broken up, and coincidentally end up in the same place they met after they broke up. 

The video commences with a two shot of Saen and Charlie at Chinnerys first meeting. 

The titles of the song run through, with a dark aesthetic emerging through use of blue arcade lighting and dark lips eating a love heart sweet, foreshadowing the later events of the video. The lips are a motif throughout, intertextually referencing Rocky Horror, a cult film many indie fans will be aware of within their cultural competency. 

4 images flash up, one after the other: one of Saen, one of Charlie, one of them together, and one of Saen on his own, quickly demonstrating the basic narrative of the story. 

Shots of Tom lip syncing the song in 4 different locations throughout he video act to adhere to Dyer's Star theory and demonstrate Tom's star persona, giving fans what they want to see while also creating a character of narrator throughout the video. A wine bottle and guitar picks reflects the 'lilac wine' lyric too, adhering to Goodwin. One of the location shots involves Tom through a a frame: demonstrating Goodwin's theory further. 

The narrative - with an old film effect put over it - illustrates Saen laying among flower beds writing in his notebook and sketching (typically done when in love and daydreaming) reflecting the lyrics of 'flowerbeds' and 'existence' where he writes in the book ;'what is existence' followed by the answer 'love'. 

The chorus narrative demonstrates the boys in the height of their relationship, sitting on a wall - a stereotypical love scene ie in Submarine (another indie film) - and lyrics reflect visuals through things such a a heart made of pebbles, with the beach being a motif throughout the video. 

The second verse begins with the boys on a date at a picnic as in insight to their relationship. Dropping money with dark lights reflects the 'money without meaning' lyric. This begins to demonstrate the turning point in the song where the relationship breaks down. Saen can be seen reading a newspaper in the park, demonstrating the lyrics 'of fake news - its just the same as real life' - reflecting Goodwin's theory further. 

The lyric of 'patient kiss' is reflected through the overlay of the lips, adhering to Goodwin's theory of lyrics reflecting the visuals.

Saen is given a bunch of flowers, and then a chess board appears reflecting the lyric ' do you want to play'. 

An arcade light flickers on the Volta of the song, when Tom flicks his hand and the chess board flips as the relationship breaks down. 

The chorus shows a series of stereotypical heartbreak shots of Saen ripping out his pages of his notebook and throwing flowers.

The bridge narrates Saen getting back on his feet after the relationship, illustrating a train journey to a gig, with overlays of Saen erasing the makeup from his face effectively wiping away the relationship and tears. He gets his confidence back in himself with the overlays of the lips in the background. 

In the last chorus, gig footage of The Trusted is playing, with Saen and lip overlays bringing all narrative strands together and creating star persona and performance footage, adhering to both Goodwin and Dyer. 

Finally, the boys meet again in the same place and share a knowing smile, intertextually referencing La La Land. 

Website Walkthrough and Explanation

 https://youtu.be/WjVpW-2wDXw

Upon opening my website, a Lightbox appears promoting the tour. 

My home page has a rotating menu, inspired by Declan McKenna's website, of which all pictures link to the corresponding sections on the website through page anchors. The Time with Tom section links to my separate page, which sports some promotional videos of Tom discussing being back at live gigs and Love and Suicide. I have also connected the song release to Mind UK, a mental health charity, to create cross media convergence. - The HMV reference is also because my audience are growing increasingly fond of buying physical records. Also on this page, is an intertextual link to Alice in Wonderland due to my use of the phrase 'down the rabbit hole'. - I have also got an Easter egg, which is the psychedelic swirl also referencing the rabbit hole, which when clicked takes the audience to an exclusive Spotify playlist 'Tom's Tunes'. 

I have designed 3 album covers which flip to the back covers when hovering over them, taking inspiration from another indie band website, that of Catfish and the Bottlemen. 

My music video (3min50sec) is under the albums, with a link to a page with an extended edition exclusively for fans (Jenkins' fandom theory) - this also features an opportunity for fans to create a music video for the band, encouraging participation (Jenkins) and end of audience (Shirkey).

The sliding tour poster banner engages fans and generates a buzz around the tour. 

The Kerrang magazine feature and music journalism gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my journalistic skills, while the cover is an intertextual reference to many famous bands such as Nirvana who are renowned for smashing guitars on stage. Kerrang is also an extremely established music magazine which fits in with the band's genre of music. 

The merchandise section links to my video, in that it uses similar lighting aesthetics to create a sense of branding. 

The newsletter and contact forms are another good way to encourage audience participation, while the social media links work and re direct to all platforms, and the universal logo also links to the universal website. 

Statement of Intent FINAL

 

Statement of intent draft 2

 How do you intend to use the four areas of the media theoretical framework to communicate meaning and meet the requirements of your chosen brief? (approx. 400 words)

Product 1:

For my music video, I intend to create a video that portrays a relationship from the angle of a homosexual breakup. As well as this, I want the video to be enjoyable for my target audience of a socially-conscious 16-25 year old, middle to upmarket demographic so I have chosen the song ‘Love and Suicide’ . I will use a range of different shot types and mise-en-scenes to help with the fast-paced theme I intend to create, which will help my target audience stay engaged. I also intend to make an intertextual reference to the cult-classic film 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and musical 'La La Land': two films my audience will hold in their cultural competency and will therefore connect with. I intend to have a relationship between lyrics and visuals, music and visuals and  a large focus on my talent to help create his star persona and close-ups of the artist to meet the demands of the record label, thus adhering to Goodwin's music video theory. 

Product 2:

According to my research, Universal Music Group are one of the biggest three music labels in the world. They consider themselves to have a social responsibility to "support and partner with organizations around the globe that are working towards meaningful positive change and social responsibility": this is exactly what I have done via the use of convergence with 'Mind', the mental health charity on my 'Time With Tom' linked page. Cultivating my artist’s star persona will be assisted through the creation of the accompanying website, on which I will include ‘exclusive’ interviews and playlists with the artist, tour information, merchandise selling, subscription opportunities and many other features. There will be a clear house style across the website which will fit with the aesthetic of the music video, linking the products together. The website will have links to the music video, social media pages, music streaming platforms and the universal label website which will create cross media convergence. I also intend to include an easter egg on the website, which links to an exclusive Spotify playlist where the audience can form a sense of personal identity with the artist. In addition to this, I am going to create a link to an exclusive 'full version' of the music video in order to encourage active audiences to engage with the website. I will also give the opportunity to sign up to a mailing list to receive more exclusive content.

How do you intend to link your media products to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of your media production? (approx. 100 words)

Both my website and video have a strong link through the use of aesthetic, artist identity and convergence. I intend to promote the website link in the description of my music video, have a clear house style connecting both products together and put the music video on the website so they are fully connected there. My aesthetic is consistent through both products and the same characters/ actors are also used to create a strong link. Convergence is also demonstrated through the links on my website to streaming platforms and social media, as well as linking to the Universal Music Group website. A short video on my website explores the artist's inspiration behind the song: This in itself creates convergence between my two products. 

22/11/2021-26/11/2021

 Coursework lessons in class - This week I have built on all the work I have done outside of class in the past few months on my music video and website. I was adding the final touches to my video (computer won't let me upload to blog!) and was shortening the full version

Overcoming Challenges

 After completing my video and website, my full video came to 4:50. I needed to shorten the time to adhere to my brief while still ensuring my best work was visible.  I therefore now have two versions of the video: the full 4:50 one, and a shortened 3:50 one for my website. I will use the full version as an extended edition that will be exclusive to the fanbase on the website thus adhering to Henry Jenkins' fandom theory. I will also add a competitor on the page to encourage audience participation, thus breaking the barrier between the producer and consumer adhering to Clay Shirkey's end of audience theory. 

Adding intertextuality to my website

 I have added an extra element of intertextuality to my project, on the 'Time with Tom' page on my website. I have taken inspiration from Alice in Wonderland with the concept of down the rabbit hole, and used the phrase to link it to the page with regards to deep diving into Tom's music, song inspiration, music inspiration etc 

I have also included a psychedelic swirl Easter egg (also referencing the rabbit hole essence) which links to an exclusive Spotify playlist.

Statement of Intent - Draft

How do you intend to use the four areas of the media theoretical framework to communicate meaning and meet the requirements of your chosen brief? (approx. 400 words)

Product 1:

For my music video, I intend to create a video portraying the change in a relationship from good to bad, as indie music tends to focus on the 'reality' rather than 'ideal'. As well as this, I want the video to be enjoyable for my target audience of 16-25 year olds; many of which have been in relationships and know they are not all as portrayed in the movies, so should aim to be relatable for the audience. I have chosen the effervescent track 'Love and Suicide' by The Trusted, which is a strong contradiction to many love songs in its tempo, but enables me to use fast paced editing and keep the video engaging while also being able to weave in a narrative with the lip syncing. I will use a range of different shot types and locations to assist with this, and create a circular narrative when the first and end location meet and bring all narrative strands, including live performance, together. This circular narrative will enable my intertextual link to 'La La Land', while the main relationship narrative in a flashback, film reel, effect, will enable another reference to indie film 'Submarine'. Andrew Goodwin's music video theory will be met with lyrics reflecting the visuals, focus on the artist creating star-persona thus meeting record label demands, live music performance and music reflecting the visuals. 

Product 2:

My website will feature a consistent style, following codes and conventions of indie artists' websites. The video's aesthetic will also be reflected in the website, with the lighting and locations, thus creating a link between the video and website creating consistency. 

My first page will include a feature rotating menu, album art which flips when hovered over, tour poster and dates, merchandise and the latest music video, as well as some other features. Cross-platform convergence will be created with links to the universal website and various social media platforms, once more creating a connection between fans and artist. This will be furthered through an option to sign up to their mailing list, meaning the audience will be able to access exclusive content and feel a personal connection with the artist, gain information and form them in part of their identity through merchandise (Blumler and Katz).

My second website page will focus on Henry Jenkins' fandom theory in providing the audience with the exclusive content they want through interviews with the frontman, and in turn developing the star persona.  

How do you intend to link your media products to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of your media production? (approx. 100 words)

I intend to have the video as a main feature of the website while the style of both website and video will link though elements such as lighting. 

Planning: Pitch

 I am going to create a music video and website for indie/rock band The Trusted, who are 'signed' to universal music group. The website will adhere to codes and conventions of music websites, namely that of indie/rock bands to portray their musicianship and fun side while also honing in on lighting and vibrant arcade style (indie inspired) themes. The website will have all content on one page (a feature of many indie artists), with my one linked page being exclusive content with the frontman of the band to add an element of fulfilling Henry Jenkins' fandom theory, through enabling the fans to feel close to the band. On my main page, I will have a rotating menu, as inspired by Declan McKenna's website, a strip of albums which flip to the back cover when hovered over, as inspired by Catfish and the Bottlemen's website, a merchandise section, tour poster, social links and the tastes music video. The mainly single page setup is heavily inspired by the Wolf Alice website. 

My music video will be heavily inspired by the Inhaler video for 'It won't always be like this', and also by the video for 'Piledriver Waltz' by Alex Turner for the film 'Submarine'. The video will use the concept of a flashback which is portrayed by a film reel, depicting a relationship which turn at the volta of the song, from good to bad. The video will have a running 'narrator' of Tom, the frontman who I will have lip-syncing in different locations, including live on stage. The start and end of the video will mirror, with both parties of the relationship in the same place, at the gig of the band, which will not only link everything together, but provide intertextuality to 'La La Land'. 

Documents:

Lyric 'script' (includes locations) - 4/7 blog post

Storyboard - 4/7 blog post

Flatplans - 4/7 blog post

Draft pictures - 23/6 and 10/5 blog posts 

Risk assessments:

Saen and Charlie; 

Old Leigh - Safe distance from sea

Chinnerys - security teams present, not getting any non-consenting faces in the shot 

Train - stand back from edge wait behind yellow line 

Tom; 

Cliff gardens - safe even surface, make sure equipment doesn't get stolen

Planning: Lyric analysis and storyboarding/ flat-plans

 

Planning: Key codes and Conventions

 From my research I have recognised the following codes and conventions of indie/rock bands websites and love song videos:

1- consistent colour scheme and theme throughout

2- performance footage motifs

3- lights ie arcade or that of reflecting stage lights

4 - tour dates in typical indie venues ie Brixton

5 - many cuts in time with music

6 - intertextual links to other bands, usually ones they take inspiration from, or well known movies 

7- lyrics reflect visuals 

8- strobe lighting 

9-many websites are single page with an extended feature page - this is often the store but in mine it will be a feature on the latest single

10-often have 'film strip' effect 

I will use these as inspiration for my coursework, to enable me to fulfil the brief via sticking to the genre conventions and creating an almost seamless link between my website and those of other universal artists. 

Photoshoot Camera Practice

 For my website background, I used the photoshoot opportunity in class in order to capture my glitter. I learnt how to use and handle a Digital SLR camera. Here is my first shot where I was trying to focus the lens and balance the zoom:

These were the shots I ended up with, including the focus and zoom balanced with the correct lighting:

Additional Research

 I have been looking at a few more indie band websites to see which elements I would like to include aside from that of my other textual analyses. 

When designing my website, I realised it was missing something. - Having looked at a few more websites I realised I needed a band logo in the header to fill it out but also to act as a link to my home page from my other linked page, rather than a button. I have taken inspiration from the Wolf Alice website with this design:

I have then also looked further at the presentation of my album covers and have managed to include a similar effect to that of the Catfish and the Bottlemen website, where the albums flip covers when the mouse hovers over. This has enabled me to show off my photoshop and design skills in terms of creativity and consistency of brand image:

Inhaler have also just dropped the music video for their latest single 'It won't always be like this' of which combines animation with colours popping at certain points, lip syncing, band footage both live and of showing their fun sides and some clever intertextuality. It prompted me to think about the use of intertextuality in my video and how I could incorporate it as such. They used signs to incorporate lyrics adhering to Goodwin's theory, and also band t-shirts of which I will be trying to also incorporate in mine. 

 

Experimenting With Camera

 I have used multiple shot types and angles with different detachable lenses as practice for my music video. I edited the shots together in the style of a music video for 'T-Shirt Weather' by an indie band called Circa Waves. The theme of the video - a summery day out - reflects the tone of the song and the theme of brightness and fun. This is even more prominent during the time it was filmed due to covid. 

I have experimented with depth of field and different camera lenses; including a wide angle and zoom lens to create different focus points and a stark contrast between establishing and extreme close up shots. I used Southchurch Park, Southend seafront, Adventure Golf and Old Leigh to gain a variety of locations all of which are similar yet presenting a flexible attitude to filming. 

I have used a variety of shots, including tracking shots to reflect the pace of the music, extreme close ups to create enigma and long shots to set the context. 

The fast paced editing reflects the pace of the song and also demonstrates my ability to edit according to Andrew Goodwin's Music Video Theory, as the music reflects the visuals. 

Generic Research: Textual Analysis 3 - Inhaler 'My Honest Face' Music Video

 

Generic Research: Textual Analysis 2 - Catfish and the Bottlemen Website

Catfish and the Bottlemen are an indie/rock band who target the same demographic as my brief (16-25). They are signed to Island Records, which is a sub label of Universal, and mirror the genre of music that I am using in my video and website. 

Generic Research: Textual Analysis 1, Declan Mckenna Website

 

Declan Mckenna is an indie artist who appeals to my demographic due to his political views. I would like to take inspiration form the homepage of his website with the rotating menu. 

Industrial Context: Universal Music Group

 

Industrial Context: History of Music Videos

 

Planning: Mood Board

 

Audience Research: Audience Profile

 

Audience Research: Focus Group

 

Brief

I am going to adhere to Goodwin's theory throughout my video

 

Planning: Reflection on moderators report

 Top Tips To Keep In Mind:

Sustain a central concept based solidly on the brief requirements

For statement of intent, include detail:"The very best made clear links between the two main products and explained how digital convergence would connect the two. These also tended to go through the brief in depth, demonstrating how every requirement and detail was to be addressed" - this counts to 1/6 of the NEA (10marks)

Relate to genre, representation, context throughout

Always refer to the brief and consistently tie it in 

Have a clear narrative strand through the video and a consistent sense of branding throughout

Emphasise performance aspect, film artist performing the track a number of times in various locations with different muse-en-scene and utilise a variety of camera shots and movement

The best sites included: going beyond the brief, considered real world examples, effective and bespoke photography/ copy, capturing the tone of audience and a degree of sophistication: use consistent branding throughout

Characters must be consistent in both products 

Plan and research should reflect in products from exemplar products

Best cover sheets included clear, bespoke, candidate specific commentaries that refer to the assessment criteria and student's work examples